6.6 Density and Land Use

7 min read•january 8, 2023

Harrison Burnside

Riya Patel

AP Human Geography 🚜

320 resources

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What is Population Density?

Population density is a measure of the number of people living in a given area, typically expressed as the number of people per square kilometer or per square mile. Population density can be a useful tool for understanding the distribution and concentration of people within a region, and it can have a significant impact on the social, economic, and political character of an area.

There are many factors that can influence population density, including geography, climate, natural resources, transportation infrastructure, and economic opportunities. Some regions may have a naturally high population density due to the availability of fertile land or other resources, while other areas may have a low population density due to physical or economic barriers to settlement. Population density can also change over time due to factors such as population growth, migration, and urbanization.

3 Methods of Measuring Population Density

There are several methods that can be used to measure population density. These include:

Arithmetic density is a measure of how many digits are in a given number, expressed as a proportion of the number of digits to the size of the number. For example, the arithmetic density of the number 12345 is 0.2, because it has 5 digits but is equal to 12345/100000. Arithmetic density is used in some fields, such as cryptography, to measure the difficulty of breaking a code or the security of a system. It can also be used in other areas, such as data compression, to determine the efficiency of a compression algorithm.

Physiological density is a measure of the population of a given area, expressed in terms of the number of people per unit of area. It is typically used to compare the population density of different areas, and is often used in the field of geography to study the distribution of populations around the world. The physiological density of a given area is calculated by dividing the total population by the total area of the region. It is usually expressed in units of people per square kilometer. Physiological density is different from arithmetic density in that it measures the population of an area rather than the number of digits in a number. It is also different from population density, which measures the number of people in a given area, regardless of the size of the area.

Agricultural density is a measure of the amount of agricultural land in a given area, expressed in terms of the proportion of land that is used for farming. It is typically used to compare the agricultural productivity of different regions, and is often used in the field of geography to study the distribution of agricultural lands around the world. Agricultural density is calculated by dividing the total area of agricultural land by the total area of the region. It is usually expressed as a percentage or as acres of agricultural land per square mile.

Agricultural density is different from physiological density, which measures the population of an area, and from arithmetic density, which measures the number of digits in a number. It is also different from agricultural productivity, which measures the amount of crops or livestock produced per unit of land.

Summary

Arithmetic density: This method calculates the population density by dividing the total population of an area by the total land area. This gives a simple and straightforward measure of the average number of people per unit of land.
Physiological density: This method takes into account not only the total population and land area, but also the availability of resources such as arable land and water. It is calculated by dividing the population by the amount of land that is able to support it, taking into account the availability of resources.
Agricultural density: This method is similar to physiological density, but it specifically focuses on the amount of land that is used for agricultural purposes. It is calculated by dividing the number of people engaged in agricultural activities by the amount of agricultural land.

How does population density affect politics, economics, and social factors?

Population density can have significant effects on politics, economics, and social factors in a region.

Politically, higher population density can lead to a more active and influential political environment, as there are more people to participate in the political process and advocate for their interests. At the same time, higher population density can also create challenges for local governments, as they may need to provide more services and infrastructure to support the larger population.

Economically, population density can affect the types of businesses and industries that are able to thrive in an area. Higher population density can provide a larger market for goods and services, which can attract businesses and support economic development. However, high population density can also put pressure on resources and infrastructure, which can lead to higher costs and challenges for businesses.

Socially, population density can have a range of effects on the way that people live and interact with one another. Higher population density can lead to a more diverse and vibrant social environment, with a greater variety of cultural and recreational opportunities. On the other hand, high population density can also lead to more crowded and congested living conditions, which can be stressful and lead to social conflicts.

Best Way to Measure Urban Density

There are several methods that can be used to measure urban density, and the best method may depend on the specific context and the information that is desired. Some common methods for measuring urban density include:

Gross density: This method calculates the total number of people living in a given area, regardless of land use. It is calculated by dividing the total population by the total land area.
Net density: This method takes into account the amount of land that is not used for residential purposes, such as parks, roads, and industrial areas. It is calculated by dividing the total population by the total land area minus the non-residential land.
Floor area ratio (FAR): This method measures the amount of floor space in a given area relative to the size of the land it is built on. It is calculated by dividing the total floor area of all buildings in an area by the total land area.
Site density: This method measures the number of dwelling units per unit of land area. It is calculated by dividing the number of dwelling units by the total land area.

Arithmetic Density

Pro of arithmetic density is it can be useful to compare different areas and/or countries at various scales. Cons of arithmetic density is it does not always give an accurate representation of a country’s layout of people on a small scale.

Arithmetic Density is best for Urban Population Densities since it is measuring only people and land space. Urban areas do not have anything to do with land used for agriculture or arable land.

Land Use

Residential buildings and designs of land use reflect a city’s culture, technological capabilities, and cycles of development. In the USA, creating suburbs is very common. Suburbs are an example of a lower‐density housing inside of these residential districts on the outskirts of a city. This area is also called the exurban area. This means that there is space reserved for a home‐owners, single‐family structures and also a yard. On the other hand, in urban areas, we see higher‐density housing, with the majority of people renting apartments in a smaller space.

In Urban areas, land is usually not very available. Urban areas generally have very high population densities and are very packed with people! Residential buildings are often very high rent and cause people to have to find roommates and live in cheaper, poorer areas of cities. This causes people to live in small, cramped apartments with many roommates. In the early 1900s in New York City, many people on the Lower East Side lived in small tenements (usually less than 500 square feet) with sometimes more than 15-20 roommates that they had never met before. Tenements and slum housing is a problem for Urban Areas that is still a solution unsolved in many developing nations.

Bid-Rent Theory

Below is a picture of the Bid-Rent Curve. It is an economic theory that attempts to explain the price the people will pay for different land at differing distances from the Central Business District.

Source: Research Gate

The bid-rent curve is a graphical representation of the relationship between the price that a landowner is willing to accept for the use of a piece of land (the bid rent) and the distance of that land from the central business district or other centers of economic activity. The curve is typically downward sloping, with the bid rent decreasing as the distance from the central business district increases. This reflects the fact that land further away from the center of economic activity is generally less valuable, as it is less convenient for businesses and workers and may be less accessible to customers. The shape of the bid-rent curve can be affected by a variety of factors, including transportation infrastructure, land use regulations, and the overall level of economic development in an area.

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